A handful of the competition’s biggest names will run out in the purple and gold at Albury Sports Ground in an attempt to defeat Ovens and Murray League for the first time in more than a decade.
The initial squad of 34 has been trimmed down due to player unavailability which has brought Mooroopna’s Rory Huggard into the squad despite not being named last week.
One of the most noticeable absentees from the initial squad is Echuca star on-baller Sam Reid — with general soreness ruling the ex-AFL talent out.
Despite player unavailability and injuries causing some headaches, senior coach Mark Lambourn is rapt with the squad that will take to the field at 2.10pm.
“Who we’ve got is fantastic; they put their hands up and I’m more than happy with what we’ve got ... they are the guys who want to play,” he said.
“We’ve had some injuries unfortunately and things like that and that’s football, I’m sure O&M are in the same boat. I’m really looking forward to giving these boys an opportunity this weekend.
“We look back to last year and we got touched up quite a bit, so it’s a little bit of redemption in that sense.
“We’ve got a couple of boys who played in that and who will play again, so they are certainly aware of it.”
Looking at the line-up on paper and there’s plenty to get excited about for GVL followers.
The on-ball brigade, led by Seymour duo and Morrison medallists Ben Rigoni and Jack O’Sullivan, features a wealth of talent.
Kyabram gun Kaine Herbert slots straight in, while Shepparton Swans’ Zac Banch, Mansfield duo Frazer Dale and Lachie Murphy-Dale and Echuca premiership player Riley Smith bolster a formidable midfield.
Goulburn Valley League
B: Dom Gugliotti (Mooroopna), Rory Huggard (Mooroopna), Kyle Clarke (Shepp United)
HB: Ethan Penrith (Tatura), Aiden Mills (Echuca), Jack Evans (Echuca)
C: Zac Banch (Shepp Swans), Kaine Herbert (Kyabram), Riley Smith (Echuca)
HF: Jett Trotter (Euroa), Ben Christopher (Mansfield), Lachlan Murphy-Dale (Mansfield)
F: Jayden Magro (Shepp United), Will Monahan (Echuca), Chris Nield (Mooroopna)
FOLL: Bryce Stephenson (Shepparton), Frazer Dale (Mansfield), Ben Rigoni (Seymour)
IC: Harley McCarthy (Tatura), Jack O’Sullivan (Seymour), Riley Mason (Seymour), Lachie Hill (Euroa)
* potential line-up.
Shepparton’s Bryce Stephenson ― ranked equal third in the competition for hit-outs ― will take on the ruck duties.
A quick glance at the forward line structure and it should make most opposition coaches envy.
The four top goal-kickers in the comp have made themselves available for selection, with Shepparton United jet Jayden Magro, Mansfield's emerging key forward Ben Christopher, Echuca’s Will Monahan and Euroa livewire Jett Trotter.
Down back is where the issues begin to arise, however, Tatura speedster Ethan Penrith, Echuca’s AJ Mills, Mooroopna’s Dom Gugliotti and United captain Kyle Clarke will provide class.
Height is the major concern, something Lambourn expects to play into his side’s game plan.
“I think it will be our use of the ball and our leg speed. You can see we are not tall by any means,” he said.
“We’re going to have to move the ball quickly and get the ball into our forward line.”
For Lambourn, he is delving back into a role he hasn’t touched for some years.
A champion footballer and coach, with a swag of individual and team accolades, said he was excited to be involved in the representative fixture.
“The feeling is the same,” he said
“The excitement and opportunity to meet 20-30 guys, now it’s on another playing field, once upon a time it was playing and getting to know their names ... to now giving instructions.
“It’s a bit of the old with the new and trying to find that blend. I’m not going to make them any better footballers, we’re just here to get them to gel together and have fun and see where it takes us.”
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